Orbit Logic Explores Machine Learning for Lunar Gateway Fault Management

Orbit Logic has been awarded a Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract by NASA to develop its proof of concept for Lunar Fault Learning Agent for Prediction, Protection and Early Response (Lunar FLAPPER) – an onboard software solution that would automate routine tasks and perform rapid and intelligent responses to degradation or failures of spacecraft systems, resulting in improved mission results and safer crew environments. The solution could be relevant to systems such as NASA's planned Lunar Gateway, a multi-purpose outpost orbiting the Moon, which will be uninhabited for periods of up to nine months. When the spacecraft is not occupied by crew, robust autonomy would significantly ease (or even eliminate) mission control operator workload and safely maintain systems until astronauts return; Lunar FLAPPER is being developed in collaboration with the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD). Traditionally, spacecraft have implemented hard-coded, rules-based fault trees and sometimes require operators to be in-the-loop. These types of approaches are rigid and are not adaptive to evolving conditions or emerging fault types.